HBO pledges aid for Peobodys

HBO has pledged $10,000 annually over the next three years to help underwrite entry fees to the University of Georgia’s Peabody Awards program for independent producers, documentary filmmakers and broadcast journalists who lack the funds to enter the competition.

Lightening financial load

The Peabodys, which honor creativity and excellence in radio, TV and cable, carry a fee of $125 for each program entered. The fund will defray costs to the filmmakers, investigative reporters, international producers and others “who might otherwise find the entry fee prohibitive,” Peabody Awards director Barry L. Sherman said.

Sherman added that the HBO fund additionally will be used to support travel by producers and filmmakers to and from the Peabody Awards each year.

Added HBO chairman, president and CEO Jeff Bewkes: “Only by nurturing the next generation of documentary filmmakers can we assure that the best young talent has a chance to produce their work. We are very proud to contribute to the Peabody Awards program.”